Sadly, holiday parties are much more casual than they used to be because we are living in an age of casualization. Helping clients prep for their parties confirms this point because few of the outfits we’ve been creating are formal and dressy. Even my own holiday outfit this year is casual. 

Matching jeans and trousers with a shiny top is a tried and tested casual holiday party formula, one which my clients still enjoy wearing. But turning the formula upside down has been going down just as well for three reasons. One, it’s different. The little shiny pant is on trend and fitting for our trouser season. Two, the assortment of fancy jeans across a variety of price points is prolific. And three, fancy jeans have style life beyond the holidays. 

Fancy jeans come in all sorts. Liquid metallic like gold and silver. Brocade, lace, embossed and embroidered styles are other options. Go for an eye-catching look like bright gold, or a more subtle one like tonal black brocade. Remember that you can size up fancy skinnies to create a slouchier look. No need to sport the extra tight vibe if you prefer more room.

Once you’ve found a pair of fancy jeans, it’s on to matching it with a top. You have many options, some of which are more casual than others:

• Sweater: Think fine gauge cashmere and merino wool blends, lace pullovers, or thick chunky knits. Keep them fairly roomy to offset the body con effect of the skinny bottom. You could also layer an unbuttoned cardigan over a top if pullovers are not your thing. 
• Jacket: Think basic blazer, lace jacket, tuxedo jacket or tweed jacket. Pattern mix! 
• Knitted Top: Think simple solid tops for very shiny jeans, or add sparkle to subtle styles. 
• Blouse: An untucked lace blouse or a silk style with collar and cuff embellishment works well. A button down shirt, scrunched at the sleeves, is a more casual and boyish pairing. 

I like fancy jeans matched with low or high heeled pointy pumps. Dressy flats, peep-toe pumps, peep-toe booties and booties are another option. Personally I prefer dressy footwear with fancy jeans, especially if you’re keeping the rest of the ensemble casual. 

Carry a clutch to finish off the look because there isn’t another bag that is going to look quite as fab. Remember that clutches often come with short shoulder or wrist straps, so carrying them across your body or on your wrist can be an easy hands free solution. 

After the holidays, dress down fancy jeans with items like denim shirts, denim jackets, moto jackets, plaid shirts, trendy sweatshirts, big Tees, and casual footwear like suede booties or Fryes. The fancy jean is actually a lot more versatile than you might expect.

Today we’re back with the second instalment of our fashion-inspired holiday gift guide with ten more stylish and budget-friendly gift ideas, suggestions for quirky stocking fillers, tools to stay organized in 2013, and presents to spoil yourself or your friends. 

Calendars & Planners for 2013

Moleskine 2013 12 Month Weekly Planner: These weekly planners with solid-coloured covers have become classics. I’m a Moleskine girl at heart, and am leaning towards the bright purple or vivid green for next year.

Lilly Pulitzer “Dirty Shirley” Small Pocket Agenda 2012-2013: Bring some colour and whimsy into the new year with one of Lilly Pulitzer’s trademark flamboyant prints. 

Nostalgic Journeys Small Magneto Diary 2013: Showcases a collection of vintage travel ads evoking an era when travelling in style was de rigueur.

Holiday Reads

Wear This Now: Your Style Solution for Every Season and Any Occasion: Style expert Michelle Madhok and the editors of shefinds.com share tips on how to build a foolproof wardrobe and look stylish every single day of the year.

Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible: In his well-known witty and charming manner Tim Gunn guides us through the highs and lows of fashion history, revealing the story behind each item of clothing dating back to ancient times.

Fairy Tales, by Viktor & Rolf: Twelve original fairy tales written and illustrated by renowned Dutch fashion duo Viktor and Rolf.

Visual Treats

The Talented Mr. Ripley: Film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s clever crime novel. Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow star in this chilling story about a devious young man sent to glamorous 1950s Italy to persuade a shipping tycoon’s son to return to America.

The Day Before Volume One and Volume Two: A fascinating documentary series that allows us a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, complications and hectic pace during the 36 hours leading up to the runway shows of designers like Alexander Wang, Diane von Furstenberg and Proenza Schouler. 

Stylish Stocking Fillers

Christian Lacroix Tempura Journal: Part of the French designer’s Papier Collection. This colourful journal immediately caught my attention because the print and colours reminded me a little of Angie’s fantastic new twinset.

Lula Magazine Issue 15: Treat yourself to an issue of Lula, Girl of My Dreams, the British biannual magazine with conceptual photo essays and personal interviews that has become somewhat of a cult favourite among the fashion crowd.

How are you getting on with your holiday shopping? Will you be getting any style-inspired prezzies for family and friends?

Reminder: Book Club on 14 December

Friday 14 December is kick-off day for our next Book Club title. We’ll be chatting about the documentary Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton, and can’t wait to hear what you think.

I do the annual loungewear post at this time of year for three reasons. One, the bargains on loungewear cannot be beat just before and after the holidays. Although I bat for Team Full Price, I like to purchase my loungewear on sale. Two, they make practical Christmas gifts. So if you need new loungewear, send Father Christmas a note. And three, we must devote attention to how we lounge at home at least once a year. Our style covers every aspect of our lifestyle, and that includes lounging. 

I actually don’t lounge in loungewear, but wear casual clothes like jeans, with a pullover, shirt or blouse when I’m relaxing at home. I never wear sweats, fleece, yoga wear, leggings or pajamas when I’m at home during the day. Not even when I’m under the weather. That said, I wear my sweats every single day, but more as a robe than loungewear.

I pop on my sweats first thing in the morning over my pajamas (t-shirt and boy shorts). I attend to Rosie, prep the much needed hot drink, check YLF and email before I shower and get ready for the day. I also pop my sweats back on over my pajamas last thing at night after I’ve had another shower and am winding down for the evening. I end up wearing my sweats for a good few hours a day, so making sure that I feel fab in them is important to me. 

I’ve been wearing the same type of sweats for seven years, but replace them annually because they get lots of wear. I get my hoodies and sweatpants from American Eagle and have two pairs in rotation. I mismatch fun bright colours and size up for extra comfort. My sweats do not leave the house unless I’m traveling, in which case I take along a set because they function a lot like pajamas. 

I recently bought the hoodies and sweats below as my annual replenishment. It’s all about sorbet colours this year. I’m 42 and wear teenybopper sweats. I guess that’s my dirty little style secret. Each year I think “this is the year that I’m going to buy grown-up sweats”. But nothing is quite as comfy or cozy as my American Eagle sweats. I like the assortment of colours, quality, fit and price point. And as long as they keep on making me smile, I’ll happily wear them for many more years. 

Over to you. What’s your lounging style and when do you wear lounge clothes? Do you think it’s important to feel fab in lounge clothes like I do, or does it not matter? I’d also love to hear your recommendations for great loungewear.

“Would you wear in vitro leather?“, asks EcoSalon. Modern Meadow is experimenting with tissue engineering to create leather in a lab environment, so it would no longer be necessary to “raise, slaughter and transport animals” for the production of fashion items.

While expensive, camel hair is waterproof and it is said to last a lifetime with no pilling, double the warmth of other wool textiles and softening with use. No wonder that camel hair from the steppes of Central and Eastern Asia is very popular among luxury apparel brands.

SeaCell® is a fibre made out of seaweed and wood pulp, certified by the European Ecolabel. The fabric was created by German manufacturer Smartfiber AG and is regularly used for sportswear, yoga clothing, sheets and towels. The idea behind it: “natural, pure and effective active ingredients from the sea should give us and our skin a treat”.

Fab Links from Our Members

A recent Greenpeace study revealed that dangerous chemicals were found in clothing items produced by some of the most well-known global fashion brands. RunnerRae says this makes you really think twice about where you buy your clothes from.

Nadya enjoyed this whimsical illustrated take on how to dress for your body type, and thought it especially appropriate for our Urban Warrior Princesses.

In “What is your acne telling you?” The Beauty Gypsy explains the concept of face mapping. Celia is fascinated by the idea that the way your skin looks can be representative of how healthy you are.

Angie reports that great eye candy can be found at They All Hate Us, a site with a funny name founded by two Australian fashion industry lasses.

Laurinda points us to Sewingplums. She selected items from Eileen Fisher’s Holiday Tool Kit to make tops suitable for her casual chic festive capsule, by translating the pieces for available sewing patterns.

Ceit recommends this article about the difference between glamour and beauty, and how, according to writer Karen von Hahn, Canadians tend to be a little “too risk-averse” when it comes to the former.

The people at Talon Rouge restore and dye weathered or neglected footwear. Vildy was equally intrigued by their skill and the idea of owning something you feel is worth that degree of restoration.